Endangered plant reintroduced to wild after artificial propagation

Tetraena Mongolica, an endangered species known as the "panda of the plant kingdom," has recently been reintroduced into the wild via artificial propagation in Otog Banner of Ordos city, with a survival rate of over 75 percent.

This is the best survival rate recorded among all the Tetraena Mongolica produced by artificial propagation to date. It is also the first time the artificially bred species has been returned to the wild on a large scale.

"In just a few months, Otog Banner has achieved a number of significant breakthroughs in the large-scale artificial transplantation, breeding, and reintroduction of wild Tetraena Mongolica, successfully overcoming the technical bottlenecks in the conservation of this ancient endangered species," said Jiang Zhijun, director of the Otog banner forestry and grass bureau.

Tetraena Mongolica originated in the ancient Mediterranean plant region 140 million years ago and is known as the "living fossil" of plants. It is one of the most representative ancient and endangered rare plants that are unique to China, with only about 10,000 hectares remaining worldwide.

Its distribution range is extremely narrow, mainly found in the western part of Ordos city, eastern Alshaa League and Wuhai city in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, as well as in Shizhuishan city in Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

Tetraena Mongolica can adapt to extremely arid conditions. It plays an irreplaceable role in the stability of the local ecosystem, and has great importance in plant system science research.